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Lawmaker spared in prostitution case

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge spared Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) an embarrassing appearance on the witness stand in a prostitution case when she abruptly canceled a hearing set for next week.

Vitter was under subpoena to testify about his ties to a Washington escort service. Deborah Palfrey, the woman accused of running a prostitution ring, had sought to question Vitter about whether he paid for sex.

But U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler canceled the hearing Wednesday, saying it served no purpose in the case.